Your family will start to beg you to meatloaf as soon as they taste these Mini Hoisin Turkey and Zucchini Meatloaf Muffins. Make ahead for a quick and easy dinner.
Raise your hand if you cringe when you hear the word “meatloaf”. I get it because I used to feel the same way. The word painted pictures of 1950s-esque bricks of dried meat, served alongside lumpy mashed potatoes and limp broccoli. **Cringe**
Let’s wipe those images out of our heads and give meatloaf new life by lightening it up with ground turkey and some grated zucchini, and giving it a punch of flavor with hoisin sauce and Chinese 5-spice powder. Now we’re talking!
If you’re not familiar with hoisin sauce, the best way I can describe it is a Chinese barbecue sauce. It’s rich, savory and full of sweet and salt flavors. It can be found in the international aisle of most grocery stores, but can also be bought online here
, along with Chinese 5-spice powder
. Gluten-free versions
are also available. To make this recipe completely gluten-free, be sure to buy gluten-free oats
.
Don’t worry that hoisin sauce won’t go to waste. You can use the extra for my favorite Slow Cooker Hoisin Chicken recipe, which we make at least every couple of weeks.
You could easily turn this into a full meatloaf and slice it just before serving, but I like using muffin tins to make mini versions, both for the cute factor and for the quick cooking time. Prepare the mixture and scoop it into the muffin tin in the morning or even the night before, and pop them into the oven just before dinnertime. Twenty-five minutes later, they’ll be ready to serve.
Now, there’s one unsavory thing to deal with when we’re talking mini meatloaves. When you bake these little guys, some liquid will be released from the ground turkey and will pool on top of the meatloaves. Using a small spoon or a paper towel, just scoop or dab that liquid away. Voilà…problem solved.
Whip up some brown rice and a green salad or steamed veggies, and you have a healthy meal that your family will love. They may actually start to beg for meatloaf!
Other healthy ground turkey recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Turkey Cannelloni with Roasted Peppers & Spinach
Cookin’ Canuck’s Turkey Taco Twice-Baked Potatoes
Mini Hoisin Turkey & Zucchini Meatloaf Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground turkey
- 1 1/2 c grated zucchini, liquid squeezed out
- 1/3 c + 3 tbsp hoisin sauce, divided
- 3/4 c old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 c minced flat-leaf parsley
- 3/4 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1 egg
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, zucchini, ⅓ cup hoisin sauce, oats, parsley, 5-spice powder, salt, pepper and egg.
- Use slightly less than ½ cup of the mixture for each meatloaf, placing each portion into one of muffin tin slots.
- Brush the tops of the meatloaves with the remaining 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce.
- Place the muffin tin on a baking sheet (to catch any drips). Bake until the meatloaves are cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes, then remove with a small metal spatula. Serve.
Recipe Notes
Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
Christie - Food Done Light says
I’ve loved meatloaf since I was a kid! My Mom always made fantastic meatloaf so I only have good memories of it. Now my daughter absolutely adores it. She is going to love this version for sure.
Dara says
That’s great that you’ve passed your love of meatloaf on to your daughter. You must have a wonderful family recipe!
foodwanderings says
Why is it that I always imagining eating your food?! Something about yours has my name written all over it. Love that you made mini turkey meatloaf versions. So much more delicate.
Dara says
That is the best compliment, Shulie! Someday we need to break bread together.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
I’m personally not into the meatloaf of my childhood, however my husband LOVES it…as in he would eat it weekly if I made it. As it is I make his childhood version twice a year! Love that you used hoisin as well as zucchini in your mini’s! My daughter makes meatloaf “cupcakes” (she calls them) with sauteed sweet potatoes, carrots & rice which gives it the sweetness she craves.
Dara says
Thank you so much, Colleen! I love the sound of your daughter’s mini meatloaves!
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
I’m probably weird because I actually love meatloaf! The Asian twist is a nice change up on traditional meatloaf and I love that these are mini!
Dara says
Thanks, Danae! You’re not weird…you just must have a really good meatloaf recipe. 🙂
Angie says
I’m one of the weird ones that loves traditional meatloaf too, well most of the time, depends on who’s making it, lol. But I know I would more than love these meatloaf muffins. OMG, they look too good to be true!
Dara says
That’s definitely the key…who is making it. 🙂 I hope you have a chance to try this version.
The Food Hunter says
what a great idea making them in mini form
Dara says
Thanks, Theresa. My kids seem to love them that way.
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
HaaHaa, I’ve never been a fan of traditional meatloaf, but then again red meat isn’t my fav in general. I do love ‘untraditional’ ways to rev up the flavor like in this recipe.
Dara says
Thanks, Gwen! We love using ground turkey for meatloaf and the nontraditional flavors always keep things interesting.
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
I love the hoisin and five spice powder combination! These little bites are the best for portion control and so fun for kids too.
Dara says
Thanks, Jeanette. Portion control is exactly why I like making mini meatloaves. I know exactly how much I can have!
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds says
Ok, these flavors sound wonderful! Great recipe!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
ooooh I always forget about hoisin sauce. I bet these are delicious!
Brianna says
This sounds delish! We tried your chicken hoisin sammies and have made them a few times since! Great idea bringing this flavor to meatloaf. 🙂
Jenny @ The Peachy Pair says
Love anything made in muffin pans. Instant portion control! And I love meatloaf, so these are a must try for me.
Pink guava says
What a great alternative to meatloaf. I stopped making years ago as I was tired of the dried out, crusted tomato paste on top of the old-fashioned version. These will be wonderful for freezing, pre-cooked, or frozen raw in the muffin pans and popped out and stored, ready to cook. Thanks for a great new version to an old favourite.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Dara, I love these!!! these are like portable meatloaf muffins!!! I love it! and I love hoisin sauce. . we go through a couple bottles a month!
Ciao Florentina says
What a great idea! I’m trying to be a vegetarian but definitely must try these for my man. Sounds delish !
KalynsKitchen says
I never would have thought of Hoisin Sauce on meatloaf, but I love the sound of it. BTW, my sister made your Hoisin chicken and loved it!
Liz says
Thanks Dara for the nice turkey muffin recipe. Have a great week.
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
This recipe is just what I was looking for! I will definitely be adding this to my weekly meal plan next week! It’s low carb and that’s right up my alley 😉 Especially served with some cauliflower mash!
Brenda Bennett says
I love using oats in my meatloaf but i love even more than you added zucchini into these!
Susan says
I have a turkey meatloaf recipe that I like which has quinoa in it. It might be fun to try this one, too, for a change. I know my poor husband would love it if I’d quit making new dishes all the time, but I love variety and trying new things. This one sounds like a real winner.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
These. Are. Adorable! There is definitely nothing “cringe-worthy” about them 🙂 Loving the addition of hoisin and spices!
Paula-bell'alimento says
So much fabulous flavor!
Kim Beaulieu says
I am such a serious meatloaf girl. I love the stuff. It just screams comfort food. These are fabulous, healthy and cute, what more can you ask for. I really dig hoisin, it’s such a great sauce.
Heather | girlichef says
I have never cringed when I heard the word meatloaf, it’s been one of my favorite meals since I was a kid! I also love hoisin, and can’t resist individually portioned sizes, so I know I’d love these. My family is going to be happy to eat them, too.
kellie | The Suburban Soapbox says
Huge meatloaf fan here! Holy healthiness….I love that you put zucchini AND oats in them. I think I’d have a hard time not eating 6 or 7 at a time.
Bea says
Oh those a gorgeous!!! Now I have to admit that meatloaf is one if our family favorites. I mix it up with veggies / without but adding hoisin sauce sounds divine. Love it!!!
Kate @ Diethood says
Your updated version of meatloaf looks amazing! And it sounds soooo good!!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I thought I had commented on this yesterday, but now I don’t see it. Oh well, these look so good they’re worth commenting twice on. I love anything mini, and the glaze you’ve used on these leaves my stomach growling and my mouth watering. Such a great recipe!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I’d be begging for this meatloaf too! Mini is perfect!
RK says
I made your hoisin chicken & my family loved it! Now I’m going to try this recipe since I have the hoisin sauce. These would be perfect to have in the freezer now that I have started back up on MyFitnessPal (I’m assuming they’d freeze well). What type of ground turkey do you recommend ? At my grocery they have options based on how much dark meat to breast meat ratio. Thank you !
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Ugh! Meatloaf used to make me cringe, so naturally it’s my husband’s most favorite dinner ever. Seriously. The guy requests meatloaf every single time I ask for menu requests. Every. Single. Time. The name isn’t all that appetizing, and it takes forever in the oven to cook. Mini meatloaf muffins solve that problem! I *really* like your zucchini addition. I bet that keeps the turkey nice and juicy.
Karissa | Sweet as a Cookie says
I’ve never had meatloaf ever… the closest I’ve come is a meatball. I love that these are mini 🙂 Too cute!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Sometimes I feel like the only person who actively grew up loving meatloaf…haha. Someone just asked me what meal is my ultimate comfort food and my moms meatloaf was the answer. I think this jazzed up version sounds awesome though – so full of flavor and packed full of veggies. Love that hoisin glaze.
Renee @ Tortillas and Honey says
What a great recipe! I cannot wait to try this recipe, it’s looks so easy and flavorful. I think I’m also going to double it!
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings says
That looks like a tasty and healthy dinner!
Liz says
Thank you Dara for the nice recipe. Have a good day and week.
Ala @ Ala Lemon says
That sounds amazing, and like something you can easily freeze. I might sub the turkey for veal as ground turkey is uncommon here (and I don’t have a grinder)
Roz says
Don’t have any oats. Could I use Panko breadcrumbs? If so, how much would you recommend? Would it affect the nutritional facts by much? Thanks!
Dara says
Hi Roz, I haven’t made these with breadcrumbs, so I’m not exactly sure of the amount. I would add until the mixture hold together when you form a small amount in a ball. For the change in nutritional facts, you can use a calculator such as Sparks recipes calculator. I hope that helps.
Rachel says
I love zucchini muffins- what a great way to make them healthier but still delicious!
Heather says
I only have ground venison thawed out. Can I use it Instead of turkey?
Dara says
Hi Heather, I’ve never tried this with venison, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.